Balance? No problem.

Anyone who says life is easy is lying. Or in denial. Or both. I don’t know of a single soul who doesn’t struggle with trying to balance the pieces of the puzzles that make up their life, do you?

I wrote this quote and want to start a dialogue. I want us to not feel so all alone with our overwhelming thoughts of going crazy while navigating our personal tightrope.

No one can do it all, all the time, without falling every now and then. What matters is that we get back up.

And now, a favor:

Please leave a comment about something that YOU struggle with in life – and let’s rest assured, even if what we juggle on a constant basis is somewhat different in our personal story than others (or maybe we’re all trying to balance the same stuff), we are all in this together. YOU are not alone.

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Published by Christine Macdonald

About Christine Macdonald
Christine Macdonald is a Los Angeles based author from the island of O’ahu.
Through her writing she uses her voice, a unique blend of cutting truth and self-deprecating humor to inspire others to release their shame and tell their story.
She is public about her struggles with clinical depression and PTSD from childhood abuse.
Her forthcoming book of essays about surviving addiction and a career in the sex industry will be published in 2020.
For more on Christine’s remarkable story visit her website www.poletosoul.com.
View all posts by Christine Macdonald

42 thoughts on “Balance? No problem.”

First… nothing’s easy
Second… it’s only complicated if you try to explain it or understand it
Third… keep it simple by dealing with it one thing at a time
If you’re honest with yourself, it’s not too hard

The hardest thing for me is to remember I’m not the center of the Universe
When I don’t worry about how something will affect me or who will get credit, I can do anything

The hardest part of my existence is balance! The one thing I do try and do right, is get back up cause it seems like there are times like now that I fall everyday. Work, no work, teenage boys, the hardest job I’ve ever had, my home, myself, my husband. It ain’t easy and sometimes I’ve signed up for the wrong life it seems. BUT, I do keep going even when I’m struggling!!

Patrice – you are a HERO. Anyone who is an engaging parent is. Balance is the hardest thing to attain. I wonder, do we ever get there? I think there are moments when we do, but honestly, I wonder. The journey is what it’s about, so with that logic, the struggle is all part of the process. Keep getting back up, sister!

Have you tried meditating? I just started about a year ago and it really helps me.. but it’s not easy! I am always pulling myself back in the moment, because my mind strays. Being present is a good one, thanks for posting. I’m sure we aren’t alone in that.

Thanks for this, friend. To most of us there is no other choice, but unfortunately for some, there is – and some people make it (take their lives) and that’s the scary part. This post is for anyone who feels they are alone and is struggling to hang on. It’s a silly dream to think something as small as this post would help, but, I’m a silly dreamer. You rock, for all you do! xx

I struggle with self-esteem and feeling like I’m not a fraud, the idea that people will be onto me and the jig will be up because I’ve been faking it all of these years and finally got busted. The realization that EVERYONE feels similar insecurity — even if it’s well-hidden beneath a cloak of confidence and bravado — helps to mitigate the anxiety. Sometimes. I keep waiting for that whole mellowing-with-age thing to kick in.

Oh, where to start?!? I’d say being frustrated and snappy at things and people (particularly my kids!) A slow check out person, annoying driver, inconveniences…if I’m not paying attention I can let those little things get to me nod sometimes lose it!

Where do I start? Asking a writer to comment is like asking Richard Simmons to sit still. Ha…
Is there anything we as people don’t struggle with? How do I take my pick? Okay well… I’ll settle with what I’m presently struggling with. My middle teenaged son. He is going through the stages of growing up & realizing that he’s made some bad decisions. Hence, got in trouble with the law & recreational drugs. As a parent, trying to raise a child in a wholesome Christian home is a challenge. Not the challenge of conditional love ( I don’t love on conditions), but allowing a child to fall, being there to pick them up, never stop loving unconditionally & realizing we all have free agency to choose. I’m a firm believer in not enabling, so that’s where faith has to kick in. This is a tough one. Many parents allow things that they shouldn’t out of either guilt, or fear of the perhaps the inevitable. We have to try & stay balanced mentally & still work @ an internal sense of joy, regardless of our tribulations. I am working on that. Trying to be cheerful yet realistic. I’m not in control of anything except myself & how I am. I will always let my child know I love him no matter what, but I will (out of pure love for him) fail & fall. That’s what you have to do. Besides, the more a person tries to control the worse it becomes. I raised him the best I could, I spent time with him from birth until now, I have no regrets that I wasn’t there for him when he was little, etc. My conscious is clear. I adore my son, & he is a beautiful soul, I hope he will see that within himself someday. Escaping the internal demons… Wherever they stem from. Sorry… I blew this page up. 🙂

I struggle to not care about the things I cannot control. And to actually move on for bad situations, because I think I can fix things and am scared of what might be next. I like to think I can always make things better. That there is a silver lining in each situation/person if I try and act hard enough. That’s just not the case in life– experience has now taught me that.

Sometimes, the best thing you can do for yourself is to acknowledge a bad situation, that it’s not your fault if something isn’t perfect, and move on because you deserve more. Or, because it’s not what you actually want, you’re just too scared to move on. I struggle with this a lot. So, it boils down to fear. I let fear stop me from many things, and I tell myself to just try it.

I’m in a constant struggle determining the line between being a good man and friend on one side, and taking care of myself, or the person closest to me. It’s a difficult line to identify and it took me years to realize that the line is different with every person you encounter. Some people will take all that you have to give and still call you selfish, while others need something for a moment, and then are grateful for the help. Learning where that line is with people, and weeding out those that need too much before they become detrimental to yourself or the people closest to you is tricky.

Ahhh – boundaries and expectations! Those are fun. And VERY tricky. Thanks for this. I think you hit the nail on the head with what we all struggle with when it comes to our relationships with friends, lovers, family etc. Well done.

For me, I find that I struggle with the balance between work and play. Sometimes, I get so caught up in the “busy-ness” of my boss’ life, that I forget about my own. Holidays come and go, and I always forget to plan something special until it’s too late, and I tend to stay at home and not go anywhere.

My struggles pale in comparison to so many others’ that I don’t bother to worry about them. Life is good and I’m living in the moment very happily. I’m not going to complain about anything. And I will learn from my challenges. Life can be complicated, but it doesn’t need to be.

I agree to be grateful for all we have – but this doesn’t mean we don’t have struggles, and that things are not complicated from time to time. There’s a difference bewteen complaining and voicing our challenges. And yes, we all learn from them (hopefully!). Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.

On April 22nd, I was diagnosed with a chronic illness, after being sick for nearly 4 years without answers. I have not yet found a treatment plan that has offered hope or help. In three weeks, I graduate with my Masters Degree, on time, despite a series of hospitalizations and absences from class. In looking at balance – I struggle between my physical limitations and my mental goals.

Also – I want you to know that I read your blog religiously and there are so many ways in which you inspire me.